Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi picked up a fifth Ballon d’Or award, his first in three years- at the awards gala held in Zurich on Monday, January 11.
Messi pipped Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, winner of the past two awards, and Barcelona teammate Neymar- to be adjudged as world player of the year.
Messi, as usual, was at the forefront of Barcelona’s trophy laden season. The Catalan club won the treble of League, Cup, and Champions League; all led by the brilliance of the diminutive Argentine and his supporting cast of Suarez, Neymar, and Andres Iniesta.
Messi polled 41.33% of the vote, with Ronaldo following at 27.76% and Neymar at (7.86%).
“It’s a very special moment for me to be back here on this stage, winning again another Ballon d’Or after seeing Cristiano win it,” he said on stage.
“It’s incredible that it’s my fifth. Much more than anything I would have dreamed of as a kid.”
Messi becomes the only man to win the world player of the year award five times, following previous wins between 2009 and 2012. FifPro, the professional player’s union, also voted for their best eleven players for the just ended year.
 

 
In other categories, USA’s world cup winning captain Carli Lloyd picked up the women’s player of the year award. Other honourees included Barca coach Luis Enrique as the coach of the year, USA coach Jill Scott as women’s coach of the year, and Atletico Goianiense’s Wendell Lira picking up the Puskas award, for best goal scored during the year.
Below is Lira’s fantastic effort…